Thanks for ideas
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Seems to be pretty unanimous response, thanks very much to everyone for your support
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Well, yes, I’ve already wondered what about cheese! I guess I’m happy for the sitter to use the opened cheese, but replace it if they finish it
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I think you’re right. I was wondering about the nespresso mschine, partly in case sitter doesn’t know how to use it. Think I’ll Leave a cafetière & ground coffee as alternative
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I don’t know how to add an icon or I’d be putting a face with tears! That’s exactly what I do for me Nescafe isn’t coffee!
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Wow I’d be so happy if someone did that to my patio!
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I actually like Nescafe but I learnt in this forum that some people call it “Noescafé”. In Spanish, “it’s not coffe”
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Well, talking about safety … even though “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” is supposedly not safe for you, it is nonetheless one of the most popular butters in the US. Go figure 
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I’m having such a giggle at the anti-Nescafe sentiment 
I am a woman of two halves - instant coffee for weekdays - lovely ground coffee for lazy weekends! I like both for different reasons!
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Nestle boycotter here 
But I did recently dumpster dive almost full nescafe gold at a hostel, and it was alright to drink. I was surprised how alright, as people do hate it. Probably classist reasons among others. I dont like coffee, which allows me to find bad coffee ok.
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I have not seen anyone use that since the ‘80s!
I use a french press at home and also have an aeropress, and leave coffee for both (they require opposite grinds). I figure anyone who hasn’t used either can google it.
I’m actually sad that the last couple of sitters I’ve had don’t drink coffee OR tea [/seattle]
I actually do have some instant coffee for emergencies - but it’s a Turkish branded 2-in-1 that has coffee and milk, no sugar. Very hard to find! So I don’t offer that to sitters.
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I will add in an adjacent topic as a Homeowner. I.ve been on the platform about a year now, my longest sitter stayed 3+ months. This long one i wasn’t sure what to do about things like laundry detergent, dryer sheets, hand soaps, toilet paper, paper towels, etc. Instead of asking I just left out what i thought was sufficient amounts to get the sitter covered for a couple weeks. Then they could go get whatever they needed thereafter. Same sitter is returning this summer for the same 3+ months so it seems it was ok. For all the other sits I told sitters to use whatever of this type of stuff they needed for their time here and they were very appreciative. I am not sure what others do for this type of stuff for longer sits, but I would be interested to hear. 
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I always leave what I hope to be enough TP, dish and hand soap, and laundry detergent for my whole sit, even when it is for multiple months. I generally don’t provide things I don’t myself (dryer sheets), although I do buy a roll or two of paper towels. Never been an issue for my longer sits - although I overstocked TP for a 2-week sit last year and arrived home to one roll in the bathroom and exactly one roll left as backup . I actually hope they took the rest with them because otherwise it was probably a miserable sit spent mostly in the bathroom
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^I use TP for kitchen if there is no kitchen roll. So there can be surprising reasons for why the TP is gone.
Yes I think it’s reasonable to leave stuff to get people ‘started off’ which they can they replace to reciprocate the idea for when you return.
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TALK to the sitter! It’s as easy as that.
Never assume anything, simply tell them what they can take and what you want to be left untouched.
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We started as HO/PO needing sitters, now we do sits. I can tell you that Sitters and Home/Pet Owners are as varied as any large group.
For us getting a sitter to care for our cat & dog and keep our house “lived in” for safety reasons was a HUGE benefit. Didn’t worry about robberies, fire, flooding, plants dying, and our animals were happy at home.
As sitters we have been on hand when plumbing in a condo above went haywire & flooded the unit we were in: we were the owner’s surrogates and everything was taken care of by the time she got back. We have been in a home during a freak snow storm and were able to get generators running and keep all safe. We have given pallative care to a dog who the owner thought would die before we arrived!
So really - when you consider the benefits - if a sitter uses a few items from your kitchen…
(1) Most HO/Sitters generally assume that fresh things which will go bad during the sit are intended to be used but you should make it clear.
(2) Common courtesy to leave room in the fridge & cupboards for the sitters things. Please clean your fridge of 1/2 eaten foods. No one wants to finish what’s in your tupperware container. One man was eating out of a container, put it in the fridge and said “Finish it if you like!” I was speechless.
(3) Most HO/Sitters assume that everyday things needed for cooking (oil, butter, spices, etc) are available for use. Most would assume a rule of thumb is that if a package, jar, can, etc is unopened, don’t touch it.
However, nothing from the larder? If I’m making a dish I often need just a tablespoon of flour or a little corn starch. Those are larder things and it’s never occurred to me that would be a problem!
(4) As you’ve outlined, put a printed note in your kitchen that says what you don’t want the sitter to use (freezer, etc). Most Guides are so long now, detailes can get forgotten or missed.
Cannot emphisize enough that HO and Sitters are individuals and some have quirks! That said - we have heard VERY few “horror stories” about Sitters or Home Owner being inconsiderate. After all, if you want to stay in the system, you want people to think well of you!
For ourselves? We locked up our liquor when we left for on long trips, but we would make a welcome meal and leave a bottle of wine.. And as sitters have had very gracious hosts. A meal is a nice touch if there is an overlap night. Everyone gets to know one another. Usually if a Host makes us a welcome meal, we stock their fridge with fresh basics for their first day home.
The most important thing is clarity of expectations and respect on both sides!
EVERYONE should feel they’ve beneffited: the Home Owner knowing someone is around to take care of emergencies, the Pet who gets to stay in their home, the Sitter who wants a cozy place for visit to an area.
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I gotta say - that is BOTH funny and shocking! They ordered cheeses to take with them!?!?WOW
extra virgin olive oil
a cooking staple
It’s not that expensive…I just paid $8 for a good bottle
No, don’t ask them to replace it, the olive oil. Such a small price to pay for care of your home and pet treasures?!
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